The Verde Valley is full of Halloween activities and events for both young and old. Here’s a guide to help navigate the fun this weekend across the region.
Camp Verde
The Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting its Main Street Trunk-or-Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. Main Street will be closed from Nichols Street to Turner Street to allow for safe trick-or-treating. This popular annual event draws over 5,000 attendees due to the participation of local businesses, community groups and Main Street merchants.
Businesses, organizations and individuals pass out candy to costumed children strolling the street. Parks & Recreation takes the lead in providing candy for this event by accepting donated funds combined with Town funds and then purchasing candy to be parceled out for distribution.
There will be an online virtual pumpkin carving contest this year. Participants can take a picture showing them and their pumpkin and send it to parks@campverde.az.gov along with their age. The P&R staff will also be checking out the decorated cars and booths to pick awards for the best decorations.
In addition to costumed candy gobbling, businesses and groups are invited to organize other activities. The Camp Verde Online School will have their famous haunted house ready for only $1 donation. Calvary Chapel, Camp Verde Marshal’s Office and the Kiwanis Club of Camp Verde are just some of the groups at this event.
Cottonwood
The Cottonwood Recreation Center will be hosting a parents’ night off kids’ Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will have movies, food, crafts and games.
Main Stage will be hosting a Halloween bash on Saturday, Oct. 28, starting at 9 p.m., at 1 S. Main St. Cottonwood.
The city of Cottonwood will be hosting a trunk-or-treat event on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cottonwood Recreation Center. Cars can be decorated using video game themes. This event is free and open to the public.
The Clemenceau Heritage Museum is hosting “Creepy Cottonwood and Beyond” with creepy tours of the museum offered every Saturday in October from 3 to 5 p.m.
Verde Villages
The Verde Villages will be hosting a trunk-or-treat on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Verde Village Pond located at 3901 E. Del Rio Drive.
Clarkdale
Clarkdale will be hosting a trunk-or-treat on 10th Street from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. There will be safe trick-or-treating from 5 to 7 p.m. with certain blocks closed off to vehicles.
A costume contest will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Clarkdale Town Park.
Cornville
Oak Creek Elementary School will be hosting its Halloween carnival and haunted house on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be carnival games, a cupcake walk, a fortune teller, temporary tattoos and food available for sale with the proceeds going to the STARS special needs program. Bring a bag to collect candy. Oak Creek Elementary is located at 11490 E. Purple Sage Road in Cornville.
Jerome
Jerome’s legendary annual Halloween dance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and live music by the Naughty Bits from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
It will be held under a heated tent in the parking lot next to the sliding jail.
There will be a costume contest with prizes and a raffle for a one-night stay at the Little Daisy Hotel. All proceeds benefit the Jerome Volunteer Fire Department.
Sedona
Merchants throughout Uptown will open their doors from 5 to 8 p.m. to distribute treats. Their storefronts will be adorned with spooky decor and employees and owners will be wearing costumes for the city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Safe and Fun Trick-or- Treat.
The Sedona Dance Academy will perform at Sinagua Plaza and the Sedona Fire District will set up a spooky ambulance and hand out glow sticks.
